Observation of White-Throated Nightjars at Tahlee, New South Wales

White-throated Nightjars The Whistler 6 (2012): 59-60

Observation of White-throated Nightjars at Tahlee, New South Wales

Michael Roderick1 and Lionel Winston Filewood2

13 Alderson Street, Shortland, NSW 2307, Australia 273 Underwood Road, Forster, NSW 2428, Australia

A group of at least six White-throated Nightjars Eurostopodus mystacalis was observed for a brief period on the north shore of Port Stephens on 7 April 2011. Given that the birds were very obviously detected using spotlights and had essentially ‘disappeared’ minutes later it is considered likely that the birds were on migration. To the authors’ knowledge, this behaviour has not been documented in the Hunter Region previously and it is considered likely that migratory movements within the Region are later than those previously published.

The White-throated Nightjar Eurostopodus Guinea, with some birds resident in Queensland mystacalis is a breeding summer migrant to south- (Higgins 1999). Information on the migratory eastern Australia, predominantly east of the Great movements of this species is scarce, though Carter Dividing Range. Populations spend the austral & Bright (2011) have suggested that it may make winter in central / north east Queensland and New diurnal movements on migration so as to maximise

59 White-throated Nightjars The Whistler 6 (2012): 59-60 nocturnal feeding. Locally, the species is listed as Although the migration period for White-throated a “Summer Migrant” (Stuart 2010). Nightjars north from the Central Coast of NSW has been stated to be the end of February (Higgins On the evening of 7 April 2011, the authors 1999), it is considered likely that these birds seen gathered on the foreshore at Tahlee, on the in early April were on migration. It is said that this northern shore of Port Stephens (32º40'03"S 152º species may form loose foraging groups of up to 00'38"E). We were positioned within 50m of the 20 birds on passage (see “Social Organisation” in high-tide mark where a mix of mangrove and Higgins 1999). saltmarsh vegetation occurred. We were situated on a gravel road just to the north of the mangroves It is probable that the migration period for this and immediately south of a large paddock area species within the Hunter Region is later than that with scattered trees and small sections of stated in Higgins (1999). This is supported by a inundated land. number of records of the species in the Region in April, as well as a record in May (Stuart 1994- At 1810 hours one of us noticed a dark figure fly 2010). Furthermore, given that an adult bird with into the paddock area and alight on the ground. A dependent young was observed by one of the spotlight was put onto the bird and it rose off the authors in the Sugarloaf Range (west of ground, revealing large ‘eyeshine’ on the eyes and Newcastle) on 5 April 2011, only two days prior to it was immediately identified as a White-throated this sighting of multiple birds, it is probable that Nightjar. Moments later a second, then a third bird birds depart the Region in April and May. rose off the ground behind the first bird. One bird flew over from the paddock and circled the REFERENCES observers almost directly overhead. Then the spotlight was scanned across the paddock, Carter, M.J. and Bright, B. (2011). White-throated revealing even more nightjars flying over the land. Nightjar Eurostopodus mystacalis: Diurnal over-sea It was difficult to estimate numbers but the most Migration in a Nocturnal Bird. Australian Field birds visible at any given time was six, though it Ornithology 28: 32-37. was agreed by us at the time that there were Higgins, P.J. (Ed.) (1999). ‘Handbook of Australian, probably at least ten birds on the paddock. New Zealand and Antarctic Birds Volume 4: Parrots to Dollarbird’. (Oxford University Press: Although no direct observations were made of the Melbourne.) birds taking food, their flight pattern suggested that they were hawking for insects over the Stuart, A. (Ed.) (1994-2010). Hunter Region of New paddock. No calls were heard at any stage. We South Wales Annual Bird Report Numbers 1 to 17 were present at the site until 1845h, though no (1993-2009). (Hunter Bird Observers Club Inc.: New observations of the nightjars were made after Lambton, NSW.) 1815h.